New Jersey rockers Summit have released their debut single ‘Silent Sanity’.A family band made up of a father and four sons, Summit used the lockdown period to their advantage, taking the time to practice together and start to write and record their own music. Developing from a covers band to a fully fledged rock band with original material, they draw from a wealth of experience and influences ranging from alternative rock to classical music.
‘Silent Sanity’ is a blazing whack of alternative rock as Summit spread an emotional smooth melody over a bubbling angsty backdrop. The track exudes punchy drums, rumbling bass lines and raw gritty guitar riffage which drives the tracks brisk Blink-182 -esque wall of sound. With a moody vocal melody and tight harmony this track is a refined, full bodied taste of explosive rock which contemplates the intricacies of relationships.
Dublin alternative rock band Kyro Jones have released their new single ‘Walk With Me’. Established in the summer of 2017, Kyro Jones have been working tirelessly on the Dublin live circuit refining their songs and perfecting their unique brand of fast, energetic music.Having shook the ground at headline gigs in The Workmans, The Underground, Whelan’s and Fibber Magees, the five piece are going from strength to strength.
‘Walk With Me’ is a blistering alternative rock track as Kyro Jones create a bone shaking, brain melting number designed for blasting from your speakers. It’s a dark rumbling concoction as the band blend raw basslines with pounding drums to create a curdling sharp wall of sound. With slinky guitars soaring and ricocheting off the brawny foundation ‘Walk With Me’ is a force to be reckoned with. The charismatic vocals cut through the tension and aggressive instrumental battering while the shredding solo saturates the song in a haze of vapour. With funky flirtations emerging between the pounding rock bravado, this attitude-driven track explores a war of words between two young lovers. It’s one whirlwind of fine musicianship.
Rising newcomer Kynsy has released her new single ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’. Kynsy, is the solo project of rising 23 year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Ciara Lindsey.Tipped in 2FM’s Rising 2020 list, Kynsy’s single ‘Cold Blue Light’ picked up plays on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music with Kynsy also featuring on the cover of Spotify playlists including Fresh Finds Rock and An Alternative Eire as well as on the cover of Indie Britain on Tidal. The track was also included in Spotify’s New Music Friday UK, Badass Women, Et Alt and New Alt playlists.
‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ is a sublime example of Kynsy’s tight, refined songcraft as she swaggers her way through sharp guitar and jolting indie rock to create a raw number that is to die for. A catchy guitar riff reminiscent of The Strokes introduces a lonely, almost spaghetti western vibe while the stomping beat and moody delivery sets the tracks gritty undertone.It’s a punchy, matter of fact tune with both sweetness and attitude oozing through Kynsy’s vocals. The zest-stricken sharp guitar refrains and light buoyant rhythmic foundation create a mesmerising contrast while at the same time blending the light indie tones with sulky, moody moments. There’s striking cinematic beauty to ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ as Kynsy paints a mixture of emotions on an almost Tarantino- movie desert backdrop, however she reins it in, not fully committing to the gritty genre and instead introduces and allows the indie pop elements to flourish and thrive. Kynsy is an exciting and talented artist and one to keep an eye on.
Written and co-produced by Kynsy, she enlisted mixer Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol / Sorry / Parquet Courts) to buff the finished work. About the track, Kynsy said: “It’s a tug of war between the positive and negative thought processes that occur when a relationship ends. It’s about accepting the fact that sometimes you have to laugh the pain away or look at negativity head on in order to feel positive emotions and have positive thoughts again.”
The track comes with an accompanying self-directed video, filmed in Dublin by Tim Shearwood and featuring Kynsy and her friends. Talking about the video, she explained “I wanted to try and create the same sort of balance of ideas, it needed to be fun and playful but with moments of emotional vulnerability in there too, a sort of yin and yang of simple fun against complex emotions.”
Watch the video for ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ below
Black Violets are set to release their second single ‘Rebel’ on the 25th September. The band released their debut single ‘Falling on the Radio’ to much acclaim, peaking at No.2 in the iTunes Alternative charts in Ireland. The song received airplay across on 2fm, Classic Hits 4fm, Corks 96fm, KCLRFM and Red Fm as well as in the UK (Newcastle) and US (San Diego 91X).
Swirling through a vivacious soundscape of fizzing guitars, punchy drums and dizzying electronics, ‘Rebel’ continues Black Violets’ onslaught of exhilarating alternative rock. With razor-sharp guitars soaring through the dark bass rumble and pounding drum foundation the band create a biting and thrilling wall of sound reminiscent of Kasabian while maintaining their own unique edge. The track travels at a relentless brisk speed as the delusional swarm on guitars warp and ricochet off the galloping rhythm with relentless stamina while the power rock vocals bounce off this kinetic backdrop, thriving within the musical chaos. The acid soaked synths give the track an 80’s vibe as the band blend alternate rock with an effervescent shot of electronic pop before slapping some punk attitude on top. Black Violets have created an energetic raw new anthem that is sure to revolve in your head for days.
Belfast band Cloakroom Q have released their new album ‘Yes Again’. ‘Yes Again’ is a piece of wonderfully unique and at times obscure art which showcases a band unafraid to express their darker innermost thoughts through music. Laced in dark theatrics, frantic instrumentation and quirky lyrical outbursts Cloakroom Q’s album is not for the faint-hearted. With crashing guitars, ground shaking bass grooves and manic drums ‘Leave Me At Lusk’ and ‘Zhia’ start the album with brain melting distortion and gritty alternative rock.The band meld The Prodigy – esque sounds into their continuous onslaught to provide a crazed and barbed wall of sound. ‘Yes Again’ travels full throttle until the listener reaches ‘Here Everything Is Still Floating’. With delicate twinkling guitar radiating through an ethereal atmosphere the track provides a brief release from the heavy sound of previous tracks. However the band still manages to seep psychedelic undertones into the song through the punchy drums and melancholic melody.
The vocals throughout the album are filled with angst and despair as the lyrics are spit, exclaimed and shouted with such intensity it’s almost like a glorious performance of dramatic poetry. Placing their unique vocal delivery against a prismatic, image-evoking and dramatic backdrop is what Cloakroom Q do masterfully. Their ability to create ominous, chilling and explosive soundscapes which exudes raw vigor is mesmerising.
With tracks like ‘Capra Takes Off! (Hand Me My Jetpack I)’ and ‘Capra Comes Down (Hand Me My Jetpack II)’ the band take the listener on an intimate trip into gnarly alternative rock one minute and floaty hippy-esque pop another and lets not forget a cheeky little stop off at indie rock lane with ‘Nowhere To Spit’ which chimes with warm jingles on guitar and soft twinkles on keys. The band also venture into jazz, art rock and beyond with this album, using genre as a springboard for their expressive songwriting rather than adhering to its confinements. With elements of Talking Heads peeping up here and there and a faint REM residue, Cloakroom Q create their own unique sound filled with jaunty riffs and quirky melodic hooks which is best portrayed in the crazed ‘KFHC’ and emotive ‘Barely A Shadow’.
Cloakroom Q have created a refreshing alternative art rock album filled with a lush variety of instruments which include horns, bells, organs as well as your usual guitar band set up, however through all the madness there are some surprises within the album. As in all good albums there lies a hidden gem to discover, the sweet doo wop ditty ‘The Door’. A 50’s-esque honeyed melody drifts upon a slow shuffle tempo, seductive bass groove and light guitar while soft vocals coo ( that’s right I said coo, not screams or wails…well until the end) over the dreamy soundscape. It’s a charming little number which shows the band at their most pop.The song ventures into a meatier funky crescendo and it does go a little obscure and dark but not enough to change the sweetness of this brilliant track.
‘Yes Again’ is a story and journey and it plays through like one. The entanglements and frustrations the band express at the beginning seem to work themselves out as the album eases into the more mellowed end. Cloakroom Q have an impressive knack with dramatics and their talent is just as apparent in both the manic, expressive alternative tracks as it is in the more melodic tunes. The lyrics are honest, sometimes paranoid and aggressive and the band mirror this with intense instrumentation.
‘Yes Again’ is a unique and intriguing journey into Cloakroom Q’s unconscious. Their use of vivid witty songwriting and the bands unmistakable musical prowess has created an album like no other.
Bitch Falcon have recently released their new single ‘Test Trip’ taken from their forthcoming debut LP, ‘Staring At Clocks’, to be released 6th November via Small Pond Records (Clt Drp, Wild Cat Strike).BITCH FALCON was formed by frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick in Dublin in 2014, and are mainstays of the festival circuit in both Ireland and abroad (packing out rooms in the US, Canada and Europe). Since these freshman days, the lineup has galvanised around the rhythm section of Barry O’Sullivan on Bass and Nigel Kenny on Drums.The trio has played shows with Girl Band, Fontaines DC, Torche, Black Peaks and Pussy Riot.
Once again Bitch Falcon deliver another slice of grunge perfection with latest release ‘Test Trip’. A relentless bass rumbles through eerie soundscapes for the verses while drums tease and foreshadow the chaos to come. The track oozes spine-tingling instrumentation, tension and dark atmospherics as the trio push and pull the verses into the heavy chorus with majestic and masterful musical flair. The band place droplets of dreamy tones through the track which gives brief moments of release between the striking guitars while the harsh riffs and pummeling drums provide a thunderous backdrop for Lizzie Fitzpatrick’s powerful vocals (which is the all commanding constant within the bands songs.) Her range is bewitching as she controls her icy lulls and mighty wails with dignified dominance while the crazed guitar fuzz, shattering bass and dead summoning drums explode into a frenzy behind her. Her cool, calm approach has a sense of passionate nonchalance which she unleashes without warning, making each track the band release an energetic shock to the system. Bitch Falcon’s sound is absolutely thrilling and first class. These guys are in a league of their own.
About the track frontwoman Lizzie Fitzpatrick said : “I wrote this about running away from home. When I was young I would always pack my bags in a bid to manipulate my mother into forgiving me for something I did (too stubborn to just apologize). I linked this with manipulation in love. When the partner ‘tests’ each other by trying to leave when they just want to be fought for. Really it’s a take on myself, rather than dealing with the situation, just packing your bags and running away (which is not the answer).”
Strangers With Guns have released their new EP ’Disenfranchised Fetus’. Strangers With Guns are a three piece metal band based in Dublin. Although they formed in January 2019, they already have toured all over Ireland and have supported acts as diverse as “Cherym” and “The Soap Girls” to playing on punk bills up North and even playing with stoner and doom metal bands in Limerick and Cork.
’Disenfranchised Fetus’ is a potent dose of the unadulterated metal-infused rock Strangers With Guns do so well. This EP is heavier than their debut album ‘Degenerate Art’ and the most sharp and fierce we have seen them yet.
Entering on a rooted bass rumble, intense guitars and pulverising drums the band kick start the EP with ‘Cants’. Acute guitars stain a gritty wall of sound with brain smashing riffage while pummelling drums batter the foundation with blood thirsty stamina. ‘Cants’ is a tasty appetizer of the manic onslaught Strangers With Guns have in store for the listener. The instrumental tension, sinister builds and aggression contrasted with cooler moments on vocals is a tantalizing joy to the senses.
‘Cool, Calm, Collect’ and ‘Last Tango In Paris’ follow with a punk-inflicted heavy metal style which holds moments of laid back composure yet is still forceful and in your face.The vocals venture from nonchalant verses to growls and dynamic exclaims, building on the band’s ability to mangle softer elements within their raucous wall of sound. Grooves on bass ooze harsh tones while deft guitar riffs build the tracks’ intensity into a blood-drawing, mosh-worthy crescendo. The climatic elements of each track are saturated in dark undertones and ominous thrills that fill your core with perilous adrenaline – a truly magnificent display of musicianship.
The band bring the EP to an end with the slick and witty ‘Somebody Needs A Hug’. A lighter track and perhaps the most radio friendly it travels on a meaty guitar and drum stomping foundation while exuding swagger-filled grooves and rock infused elements. However the band splurge slick guitar moments over the tracks rhythms and steamier tones to create a fun and danceable end to such a fiery EP.
’Disenfranchised Fetus’ shows Strangers With Guns are a force to be reckoned with. The machine gun whack on bass, coarse yet nimble guitar work and pummeling drums all build a tight and relentless wall of sound as this trio experiment and venture through catchy and crazed melodies to create a mind frazzling rough and ready EP. ’Disenfranchised Fetus’ is a metal and rock blended spectacle, absurd at times yet undeniably awesome.
Birmingham based quartet Y!KES have released their new EP ‘MASS!VE’. A spine chilling collection of tracks filled with raw crunchy guitar lines, stabbing drums and manic dark soundscapes, ‘MASS!VE’ stays the course the band unleashed with their debut EP ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’. The new EP captures the abrasive nature of Y!KES in a nutshell showcasing their unapologetic, gut-punching alternative grunge rock is a force to be reckoned with.
These guys have a knack with catchy guitar refrains which they mangle beneath wild unruly instrumentation while the odd guitar riff peers above the bands musical onslaught. ‘Pirouette’ follows this format perfectly. There is a ‘My Chemical Romance’ tone and Emo residue to the track which wallows within the songs underbelly – swarming with loathing and moody aggression.
Of course this bands instrumental prowess and flair is what makes them so intriguing however, it is Oli Long’s aggitated vocals which gives Y!KES enough drama and crazed intensity to take their sound to epic heights. His vocals are luring, moody and almost psychotic as he wails, growls and mumbles through the tracks creating quite the unique and exhilarating character for each song. This is especially shown in ‘Alice’. Long’s vocals slither with a gravelly texture truly displaying the sinister range and capabilities of his vocals. It’s utterly thrilling. With a 90’s rock bravado the verses are manic and full of surprises while the chorus is strong and melodic, all leading to a glorious ending, ‘Alice’ is one of the pinnacle moments on the EP.
The high intensity, mind frazzling rock doesn’t end after ‘Alice’, instead Y!kes expands from this point. The EP only gets better and heavier from here as the band push and explore the depths of their tantalizing sound. With a cinematic rush on guitars, shredding solos and melodic frantic flurries to delight the listener, ‘Door Frame Angel’ and ‘Faker’ take their triumphant place on the EP. Although just as coarse and sharp as previous tracks, the band inject sweeter melodies into the thrilling, alternative rock instrumental.
However it’s not all a screaming assault of alternative rock, final track ‘Step Away’ brings the album to a surprising close. Here the band effortlessly slip into a more indie pop outfit with light jaunty guitar riffage providing an indie spring through the buoyant drum progressions. There are glimmers of Sugar Cult, early Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes in this song. I have to hand it to these guys, they always deliver a slap in the face of some kind and this sunkissed and moody number is the rosy-hued ( yet dark themed ) gem to do it. Absolutely love it.
‘MASSIVE’ showcases Y!KES is growing and harnessing their raw unbridled rock to create music with a memorable balance between drama, anarchy and deft musicianship.The band have created an invigorating sound of their own to discuss themes of depression and conflicting emotions through anthemic tunes with choppy chords, gnarled vocals and ground shaking drums. It’s quite the masterpiece.
London based indie-alternative outfit, Oli Barton & The Movement have released their new live cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Bad Guy’. The band take the haunting track and put their unique spin on it, twisting and coiling the eerie moments into something just as dark but with a mighty punch behind it (even adding the chorus of Slowthai’s ‘Doorman’ into the track’s mammoth finale). With sharp guitars blazing through pounding drums the band present a blistering assault to the senses while maintaining the mystery and spine chilling momentum of the original. Oli’s vocals are harsh and brazen. He prances through the verses with attitude and sass as he wails, whispers and bellows. Oli Barton & The Movement take the chilling aesthetic of ‘Bad Guy’ and turn it upside down to create a rock-doused, swagger-drenched force to be reckoned with.
Watch ‘Oli Barton & The Movement’ live video for ‘Bad Guys’ below
Three piece Nerves have released their new single, ‘Time Trial’. The song was recorded at Windmill Lane by David Michael Smith, Daniel De Burca and Fionn Corrigan, and produced mainly at home during lockdown by David Michael Smith.
‘Time Trial’ is a fantastic display of instrumental prowess from Nerves as they present a heavy aggressive sound filled with bruising post punk elements mangled between distortion and fuzz. The track bulldozes through with menacing drums as screeching and wailing guitars combust in a blaze of barbaric riffs which relentlessly crash and ricochet off the fierce rumble on drums evoking that hair-raising sensation within the listener.
The song builds superbly as Nerves slowly increase the instrumental tension and ferocity – it feels like they are removing the air pressure in an experiment to see how long it will take for the listeners head to explode. With a dizzying savage crescendo laced in acid-soaked dance elements ‘Time Trial’ shows strong growth from the Dublin based trio. The drums in this track are particularly impressive; they effortlessly flip between leading the ground shaking charge and subtly hiding behind the complex interplay of the guitars to create a rich intricate sound. ‘Time Trial’ is a thrilling listen.
Stream ‘Time Trial’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
